॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
॥ एकोनसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः - ६९ ॥
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Discourse LXIX
A Glimpse into the household life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Preamble)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
नरकं निहतं श्रुत्वा तथोद्वाहं च योषिताम् ।
कृष्णेनैकेन बह्वीनां तद्दिदृक्षुः स्म नारदः ॥ १॥
चित्रं बतैतदेकेन वपुषा युगपत्पृथक् ।
गृहेषु द्व्यष्टसाहस्रं स्त्रिय एक उदावहत् ॥ २॥
इत्युत्सुको द्वारवतीं देवर्षिर्द्रष्टुमागमत् ।
पुष्पितोपवनारामद्विजालिकुलनादिताम् ॥ ३॥
उत्फुल्लेन्दीवराम्भोजकह्लारकुमुदोत्पलैः ।
छुरितेषु सरःसूच्चैः कूजितां हंससारसैः ॥ ४॥
प्रासादलक्षैर्नवभिर्जुष्टां स्फाटिकराजतैः ।
महामरकतप्रख्यैः स्वर्णरत्नपरिच्छदैः ॥ ५॥
विभक्तरथ्यापथचत्वरापणैः
शालासभाभी रुचिरां सुरालयैः ।
संसिक्तमार्गाङ्गणवीथिदेहलीं
पतत्पताकाध्वजवारितातपाम् ॥ ६॥
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Śrī Śuka began again : Having heard that the demon Naraka had been killed and that Śrī Kṛṣṇa had singly married numerous girls, the sage Nārada felt eager to see how the Lord lived with them (all). (1)
He said to himself, "Oh, how wonderful it was that the one Lord should with one personality marry sixteen thousand wives in separate houses all at once. (2)
Thus full of curiosity and eager to see (this sport of) the Lord (with his own eyes), the divine sage came to Dvārakā, which was adorned with parks and gardens in full blossom and resounded with the warbling of birds and the humming of bees. (3)
It was rendered noisy with the loud crackle of swans and cranes residing in ponds spread over with full-blown lotuses and lilies of various colours. (4)
It was studded with nine lakhs of mansions built of crystal and silver, inlaid with shining emeralds and furnished with articles of gold and precious stones. (5)
It looked charming with its well-defined roads and other thoroughfares, quadrangles and market-places, sheds for animals, temples and guild halls. Its roads, courtyards, lanes and thresholds of houses were (daily) sprinkled with water. The everflying flags and pennons warded off sunshine. (6) (1-6)
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तस्यामन्तःपुरं श्रीमदर्चितं सर्वधिष्ण्यपैः ।
हरेः स्वकौशलं यत्र त्वष्ट्रा कार्त्स्न्येन दर्शितम् ॥ ७॥
तत्र षोडशभिः सद्मसहस्रैः समलङ्कृतम् ।
विवेशैकतमं शौरेः पत्नीनां भवनं महत् ॥ ८॥
विष्टब्धं विद्रुमस्तम्भैर्वैदूर्यफलकोत्तमैः ।
इन्द्रनीलमयैः कुड्यैर्जगत्या चाहतत्विषा ॥ ९॥
वितानैर्निर्मितैस्त्वष्ट्रा मुक्तादामविलम्बिभिः ।
दान्तैरासनपर्यङ्कैर्मण्युत्तमपरिष्कृतैः ॥ १०॥
दासीभिर्निष्ककण्ठीभिः सुवासोभिरलङ्कृतम् ।
पुम्भिः सकञ्चुकोष्णीषसुवस्त्रमणिकुण्डलैः ॥ ११॥
रत्नप्रदीपनिकरद्युतिभिर्निरस्त-
ध्वान्तं विचित्रवलभीषु शिखण्डिनोऽङ्ग ।
नृत्यन्ति यत्र विहितागुरुधूपमक्षै-
र्निर्यान्तमीक्ष्य घनबुद्धय उन्नदन्तः ॥ १२॥
तस्मिन् समानगुणरूपवयःसुवेष-
दासीसहस्रयुतयानुसवं गृहिण्या ।
विप्रो ददर्श चमरव्यजनेन रुक्म-
दण्डेन सात्वतपतिं परिवीजयन्त्या ॥ १३॥
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In that city there was the (most) splendid (richly furnished) row of palaces of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, admired by all the guardians of the world, in the construction of which Viśwakarmā (the celestial architect) had exhibited all his (architectural) skill. (7)
The row was adorned with sixteen thousand (beautiful) mansions of Śrī Kṛṣṇa's consorts. Nārada (at random) entered a big palace out of these. (8)
Supported on columns of coral, on excellent slabs of Valdūrya (the cat's eye gem) and walls of sapphire, it was provided with a floor-whose lustre never faded-paved with the same precious stone. (9)
It was (further) furnished with canopies made by Viśwakarmā (himself), from which strings of pearls were hanging, as well as with seats and beds made of ivory and inlaid with excellent gems. (10)
It was attended by maid-servants adorned with gold necklaces, and dressed in fine clothes, and man-servants wearing coats, turbans, fine clothes and jewelled ear-rings. (11)
Dear Parikṣit, the darkness in the palace was dispelled by lustre of jewels serving as lights. Seeing fumes of burning aloe-wood issuing out of the air-holes, the peacocks on its picturesque eaves screamed and danced under the impression that clouds were up. (12)
Nārada saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Lord of Yadus) seated there together with the mistress of the house (Rukmiṇī), who was (herself) fanning the Lord with a chowrie provided with a gold handle, although she was constantly waited upon by thousands of maid-servants, who were equal to her in virtue, beauty, age and neat dress. (13) (7-13)
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तं सन्निरीक्ष्य भगवान् सहसोत्थितश्री-
पर्यङ्कतः सकलधर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः ।
आनम्य पादयुगलं शिरसा किरीट-
जुष्टेन साञ्जलिरवीविशदासने स्वे ॥ १४॥
तस्यावनिज्य चरणौ तदपः स्वमूर्ध्ना-
बिभ्रज्जगद्गुरुतरोऽपि सतां पतिर्हि ।
ब्रह्मण्यदेव इति यद्गुणनामयुक्तं
तस्यैव यच्चरणशौचमशेषतीर्थम् ॥ १५॥
सम्पूज्य देवऋषिवर्यमृषिः पुराणो
नारायणो नरसखो विधिनोदितेन ।
वाण्याभिभाष्य मितयामृतमिष्टया तं
प्राह प्रभो भगवते करवाम हे किम् ॥ १६॥
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Discerning the Devarṣi, the almighty Lord (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), the foremost among the supporters of virtue, immediately rose from the bed of Śrī (Rukmiṇī) and, bowing low with His head, adorned with a crown, at the feet of the sage with joined palms, installed him on His own seat. (14)
(Parikṣit,) Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the supreme Teacher of the world; having washed His feet the Gaṅgā has become capable of purifying all. The Protector of holy men, He has earned the appropriate title of Brahmaṇya Deva by virtue of His (singular) devotion to the Brāhmaṇas. The Lord (therefore) washed the feet of the Devarṣi and bore that water on His head. (15)
(Thereafter) the Lord, who was (no other than) the most ancient sage Nārāyaṇa, the (eternal) companion of Nara, duly worshipped the celestial sage according to the prescribed rules (of worship) and, addressing him in measured words sweet as nectar, humbly said, " (Pray, tell Me,) My lord, what service we may render your holy self." (16) (14-16)
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नारद उवाच ।
नैवाद्भुतं त्वयि विभोऽखिललोकनाथे
मैत्री जनेषु सकलेषु दमः खलानाम् ।
निःश्रेयसाय हि जगत्स्थितिरक्षणाभ्यां
स्वैरावतार उरुगाय विदाम सुष्ठु ॥ १७॥
दृष्टं तवाङ्घ्रियुगलं जनतापवर्गं
ब्रह्मादिभिर्हृदि विचिन्त्यमगाधबोधैः ।
संसारकूपपतितोत्तरणावलम्बं
ध्यायंश्चराम्यनुगृहाण यथा स्मृतिः स्यात् ॥ १८॥
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Nārada replied : O almighty Lord of the universe, it is no wonder that You love all Your devotees and chastise the wicked. O glorious Lord, You have come down to earth of Your own accord for the supreme welfare of all as well as for the sake of maintaining and protecting the world. We know this full well. (17)
(What a great fortune that) I have been enabled to day to enjoy the sight of Your (blessed) feet, which bring to mankind supreme peace and deliverance, which are ever contemplated at heart by Brahmā and others possessed of infinite wisdom—the feet which are (as a matter of fact) like a rope with the help of which men fallen in the deep well of worldly life may rise above it. (Kindly) bless me that (wherever I may be) their thought may (ever) haunt me and I may go about contemplating on them. (18) (17-18)
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ततोऽन्यदाविशद्गेहं कृष्णपत्न्याः स नारदः ।
योगेश्वरेश्वरस्याङ्ग योगमायाविवित्सया ॥ १९॥
दीव्यन्तमक्षैस्तत्रापि प्रियया चोद्धवेन च ।
पूजितः परया भक्त्या प्रत्युत्थानासनादिभिः ॥ २०॥
पृष्टश्चाविदुषेवासौ कदाऽऽयातो भवानिति ।
क्रियते किं नु पूर्णानामपूर्णैरस्मदादिभिः ॥ २१॥
अथापि ब्रूहि नो ब्रह्मन् जन्मैतच्छोभनं कुरु ।
स तु विस्मित उत्थाय तूष्णीमन्यदगाद्गृहम् ॥ २२॥
तत्राप्यचष्ट गोविन्दं लालयन्तं सुतान् शिशून् ।
ततोऽन्यस्मिन् गृहेऽपश्यन्मज्जनाय कृतोद्यमम् ॥ २३॥
जुह्वन्तं च वितानाग्नीन् यजन्तं पञ्चभिर्मखैः ।
भोजयन्तं द्विजान् क्वापि भुञ्जानमवशेषितम् ॥ २४॥
क्वापि सन्ध्यामुपासीनं जपन्तं ब्रह्म वाग्यतम् ।
एकत्र चासिचर्माभ्यां चरन्तमसिवर्त्मसु ॥ २५॥
अश्वैर्गजै रथैः क्वापि विचरन्तं गदाग्रजम् ।
क्वचिच्छयानं पर्यङ्के स्तूयमानं च वन्दिभिः ॥ २६॥
मन्त्रयन्तं च कस्मिंश्चिन्मन्त्रिभिश्चोद्धवादिभिः ।
जलक्रीडारतं क्वापि वारमुख्याबलावृतम् ॥ २७॥
कुत्रचिद्द्विजमुख्येभ्यो ददतं गाः स्वलङ्कृताः ।
इतिहासपुराणानि शृण्वन्तं मङ्गलानि च ॥ २८॥
हसन्तं हास्यकथया कदाचित्प्रियया गृहे ।
क्वापि धर्मं सेवमानमर्थकामौ च कुत्रचित् ॥ २९॥
ध्यायन्तमेकमासीनं पुरुषं प्रकृतेः परम् ।
शुश्रूषन्तं गुरून् क्वापि कामैर्भोगैः सपर्यया ॥ ३०॥
कुर्वन्तं विग्रहं कैश्चित्सन्धिं चान्यत्र केशवम् ।
कुत्रापि सह रामेण चिन्तयन्तं सतां शिवम् ॥ ३१॥
पुत्राणां दुहितॄणां च काले विध्युपयापनम् ।
दारैर्वरैस्तत्सदृशैः कल्पयन्तं विभूतिभिः ॥ ३२॥
प्रस्थापनोपानयनैरपत्यानां महोत्सवान् ।
वीक्ष्य योगेश्वरेशस्य येषां लोका विसिस्मिरे ॥ ३३॥
यजन्तं सकलान् देवान् क्वापि क्रतुभिरूर्जितैः ।
पूर्तयन्तं क्वचिद्धर्मं कूर्पाराममठादिभिः ॥ ३४॥
चरन्तं मृगयां क्वापि हयमारुह्य सैन्धवम् ।
घ्नन्तं ततः पशून् मेध्यान् परीतं यदुपुङ्गवैः ॥ ३५॥
अव्यक्तलिङ्गं प्रकृतिष्वन्तःपुरगृहादिषु ।
क्वचिच्चरन्तं योगेशं तत्तद्भावबुभुत्सया ॥ ३६॥
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Dear Parikṣit, then in order to ascertain the power of Yogamāyā (divine glory) of the Lord of all masters of Yoga Nārada entered the mansion of another consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (19)
(There) he saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa (engaged in) playing at dice with His beloved consort and Uddhava. There also the Lord stood up (at the sight of the sage), offered him a seat and worshipped him with supreme devotion. (20)
Then, like one who was unaware of the sage's arrival, He said, "When did you come? You are (established in the Self and) perfect, whereas we are imperfect beings. What service can we render to you? (21)
All the same, O sage, (be pleased to) command us and bless our (human) birth." Nārada, however, was astonished (when he heard this) and, silently rising (from his seat) moved to another mansion. (22)
There too he saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa fondling His infant sons. Again, in another house he found the Lord preparing for His bath. (23)
(In this way the Devarṣi found the Lord engaged in different activities, all at once, in all the different mansions). If here He was engaged in pouring oblations in the sacrificial fire, there He was propitiating God through the five-fold daily sacrifices; somewhere He was feeding the Brāhmaṇas, while elsewhere He was partaking of the remaining food (Himself). (24)
Here He was performing Sandhyā, and there the silent Japa of Gāyatri. Here the elder brother of Gada was performing various tricks of fence with the sword and shield, and there He was riding on horses, elephants and chariots. Here He was resting on His bed, and was being eulogized by bards. (25-26)
In one mansion, He was conferring with Uddhava and other counsellors, and in another sporting in water surrounded by courtesans. (27)
At one place He was gifting well-adorned cows to Brāhmaṇas and listening to the recitation of auspicious Itihāsas and Purāṇas. (28)
In one mansion He was making merry and indulging in light talk with His beloved consort, and in another He was found engaged in the careful observance of Dharma. At a third place Nārada found him (engaged in) devising ways and means of accumulating wealth, and at another (in) enjoying the pleasures of sense permitted for a householder. (29)
At one place, the Devarṣi saw Him seated all by Himself contemplating on the Supreme Person beyond Prakṛti, and at another doing service to the elders by offering them the desired objects of enjoyment and worship. (30)
At one place, he found Śrī Kṛṣṇa preparing for war against some enemies, and at another discussing terms of peace. Here the Devarṣi saw Him devising with Balarāma the ways and means of ensuring the well-being of the virtuous, and there performing with grandeur the wedding with due ceremony of sons and daughters with brides and bridegrooms worthy of them. (31-32)
Here he found Him conducting festivities on a large scale while sending off a married girl (to her husband) and receiving another (on return from her husband's house). People wondered to see these grand festal activities of Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Lord of masters of Yoga). (33)
Somewhere he saw Him offering worship to (the various) gods, his own rays, by means of grand sacrifices, and elsewhere observing piety through the construction of wells, gardens and temples etc., for public good. (34)
Here he found Him riding on a horse born in the Indus valley, followed by prominent Yādavas, in pursuit of game and killing animals fit for sacrifice in the course of such chase. (35)
At one place he saw Śrī Kṛṣṇa (the Master of Yoga) moving, incognito among the people as well as in the mansions of the palace etc., for ascertaining the inward feelings of their inmates as well as of the people. (36) (19-36)
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अथोवाच हृषीकेशं नारदः प्रहसन्निव ।
योगमायोदयं वीक्ष्य मानुषीमीयुषो गतिम् ॥ ३७॥
विदाम योगमायास्ते दुर्दर्शा अपि मायिनाम् ।
योगेश्वरात्मन् निर्भाता भवत्पादनिषेवया ॥ ३८॥
अनुजानीहि मां देव लोकांस्ते यशसाऽऽप्लुतान् ।
पर्यटामि तवोद्गायन् लीलां भुवनपावनीम् ॥ ३९॥
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Having witnessed the display of wonderful powers of Yoga by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, though following the ways of a human being, Nārada spoke to Him as though laughing heartily. (37)
O Master of Yoga, we know (the secret of) Your wonderful powers of Yoga which cannot be easily seen even by wielders of Māyā (like Brahmā) and which have been revealed to our mind through the worship of Your lotus-feet. (38)
Pray, give me leave, O Lord, to go, so that I may move about the (fourteen) worlds flooded with Your glory, singing loudly the story of Your pastimes, which is capable of purifying the (whole) world. (39) (37-39)
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श्रीभगवानुवाच ।
ब्रह्मन् धर्मस्य वक्ताहं कर्ता तदनुमोदिता ।
तच्छिक्षयन् लोकमिममास्थितः पुत्र मा खिदः ॥ ४०॥
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The Lord replied : O sage, I am not only the Teacher of Dharma, but I practise it Myself, and lend countenance to (those who practise) it. I follow the path of Dharma in order to teach the world (by My example). (Therefore,) do not get perplexed, My son, (at the sight of this My Yogamāyā). (40) (40)
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श्रीशुक उवाच ।
इत्याचरन्तं सद्धर्मान् पावनान् गृहमेधिनाम् ।
तमेव सर्वगेहेषु सन्तमेकं ददर्श ह ॥ ४१॥
कृष्णस्यानन्तवीर्यस्य योगमायामहोदयम् ।
मुहुर्दृष्ट्वा ऋषिरभूद्विस्मितो जातकौतुकः ॥ ४२॥
इत्यर्थकामधर्मेषु कृष्णेन श्रद्धितात्मना ।
सम्यक् सभाजितः प्रीतस्तमेवानुस्मरन् ययौ ॥ ४३॥
एवं मनुष्यपदवीमनुवर्तमानो
नारायणोऽखिलभवाय गृहीतशक्तिः ।
रेमेऽङ्ग षोडशसहस्रवराङ्गनानां
सव्रीडसौहृदनिरीक्षणहासजुष्टः ॥ ४४॥
यानीह विश्वविलयोद्भववृत्तिहेतुः
कर्माण्यनन्यविषयाणि हरिश्चकार ।
यस्त्वङ्ग गायति शृणोत्यनुमोदते वा
भक्तिर्भवेद्भगवति ह्यपवर्गमार्गे ॥ ४५॥
इति श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे पारमहंस्यां
संहितायां दशमस्कन्धे उत्तरार्धे कृष्णगार्हस्त्य-
दर्शनं नामैकोनसप्ततितमोऽध्यायः ॥ ६९॥
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Śrī Śuka went on : Thus, they say, the Devarṣi saw one and the same Śrī Kṛṣṇa (present in all the mansions of His consorts) performing the pious duties of householders which lead to their purification. (41)
Seeing again and again, the vast display of the wonderful Yogic power of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who had infinite prowess, the curious sage was filled with astonishment. (42)
Duly honoured by Śrī Kṛṣṇa who (behaved as though He) made much of (the first three objects of human pursuit viz.,) Dharma (virtue), Artha (wealth) and Kāma (enjoyment of life), the Devarṣi felt (much) delighted and went away constantly thinking of Him alone. (43)
For the good of the world O dear one, Lord Nārāyaṇa takes the help of His (inconceivable) Yogamāyā and begins to sport as a human being. Greeted with their bashful looks and friendly smiles by (more than) sixteen thousand noble wives, the Lord thus delightfully spent His days (at Dvārakā). (44)
O Parikṣit ! he who for his part celebrates the inimitable exploits performed by Śrī Kṛṣṇa—who is the (supreme) Cause of the evolution, continuance and dissolution of the universe—or heave of them, or views with approbation their singing and hearing, attains (loving) devotion to the almighty Lord, the Bestower of Liberation. (45)
Thus ends the sixty-ninth discourse entitled, " A Glimpse into the household life of Śrī Kṛṣṇa," in the latter half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhāgavata-Purāṇa, otherwise known as the Paramahārṣa-Sarhhitā (41-45)
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